Federal suit filed against Warren police

YOUNGSTOWN — The incident that led to the firing of a Warren police officer has also produced a lawsuit in federal court.

Tim Brown II of Warren was stopped by officer Richard Kovach on Aug. 23 just after he left USA Gas on South Street Southeast and his vehicle was searched without permission.

Warren Safety-Service Director William “Doug” Franklin fired Kovach over the incident earlier this month, saying Kovach had violating Brown’s rights — because Kovach knew Brown was not a suspect in a murder.

Kovach is also the officer who made national news by using a Taser on an intoxicated Howland woman during her arrest outside the Up A Creek tavern on East Market Street Sept. 2.

On Wednesday, Brown filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Youngstown naming Kovach, the City of Warren, Police Chief John Mandopoulos and John Doe police officers as defendants.

For more, see Thursday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com